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The dramatic final day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford delivered not just a hard-fought draw but also a series of fiery moments — from England’s appeal for a mutual draw, to India’s batters batting on and declining early handshakes, to visible tension in the final exchanges. After India’s spirited fightback which saw them recovering from 0/2 with centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and an unbeaten 101* from Washington Sundar, emotions ran high on both sides. While the cricketing effort drew praise, it was a post-match moment involving Ben Stokes that lit up social media. Multiple clips circulated online claimed the England captain refused to shake hands with Jadeja and Sundar, supposedly in response to the pair declining an early draw and continuing to bat through the final session.
England captain Ben Stokes shakes hands with Ravindra Jadeja as the match ends in a draw after day five of the 4th Test (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
However, a closer look puts the speculation to rest. Video evidence posted on X clearly shows Stokes offering a handshake to Jadeja after the day’s play. The interaction was brief, almost fleeting, as Stokes quickly moved past the Indian batters, but it did happen. So, did Ben Stokes snub a handshake? The answer is no. The 2-1 series scoreline in England’s favour remains unchanged after the draw, but the emotional moments from the Old Trafford finish are likely to spill into the final Test at The Oval. With all to play for and tempers simmering, the decider promises more high-stakes drama. The final Test of the five-match series will commence on July 31.
Source: Times of India
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